Florida begins issuing Medical Marijuana ID Cards

Posted by Sagar Satapathy on March 02, 2017.

The Florida Department of Health, who oversee the medical marijuana program in the state, has begun the process of issuing medical marijuana identifications (ID) cards for qualified patients and caregivers of the state, the agency said last week.

Department of Health spokeswoman Mara Gambinieri said, the rule became effective on Feb. 19. The department is now in the process of updating their website to accept applications electronically, she added.

The application for Florida patients and caregivers requires a doctor’s prescription, a $75 fee, a copy of a government-issued ID cards, and a 2″ by 2″ passport photo. Physical ID cards have not yet been issued, and all patients will be required to have the card in order to purchase medical cannabis.

The ID cards will expire one year after a physician’s initial prescription date, according to the Florida Department of Health.

In order to apply for an ID card, a patient must be a Florida resident and qualify to receive medical marijuana. Current medical conditions to get medical marijuana include cancer, epilepsy, chronic seizures and chronic muscle spasms, along with patients with terminal conditions.

The Florida Medical Marijuana Legalization Initiative, also known as Amendment 2, was passed in November 2016. It expands the conditions to HIV/AIDS, glaucoma, post-traumatic stress disorder, ALS, Crohn’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis or other similar conditions as determined by a licensed state physician.

According to the law of the state, all patients must have the ID card to purchase low-THC cannabis and medical cannabis.

Florida voters approved a constitutional amendment to legalize medical marijuana, broadening access to pot beyond the limited therapeutic uses approved by the Legislature two years ago.